IELTS - results to CIC

G

gretzky

Registered Users (C)
To all the Experts

I applied for PR to the Buffalo office in Feb. 2003. I recently took the IELTS test in San Francisco and got the results (one original copy) by mail yesterday. I had asked the test organizer (International House in Portland, OR) to mail three original copies directly to me. Upon calling International House, they said that as a matter of policy they would not be able to send me any additional originals but would be happy to mail it directly to CIC in Buffalo. The reason for this policy, as they put it, was that they were afraid of the results being forged. Given that my overall band score was 8.5 (l-8.0, r-8.5, w-9.0, s-9.0), this concern, in my case at least, is clearly unfounded. The questions I have are:

1. Who should be sending the IELTS results to CIC, IELTS test organizer or me?
2. If the IELTS test organizer is to send the results directly to CIC, besides my name, address and case no., what else would the test organizer need to give CIC along with the test results?
3. If I am supposed to send the results to CIC, is there any way to convince the test organizer to send me another original results? Please note that I pointed out, to the test organizer's rep., a webpage on CIC's site that said the results need to be sent in with the application (I didn't tell them that I had already sent in my application). They may yet agree to send another original copy for me to send to CIC.

Thanks for all your help.
 
Why did you take the IELTS exam? Did CIC ask you to do that? Which country are you from and what is your native language?
 
As mentioned by the IELTS service that they will send the result directly to CIC (Visa post), ask them to go ahead and send it to buffalo, just give your File number, name and DOB.

Why are you worried over this? This is now the general routine procedure that the CIC follows for receipt of IELTS result.

Your score is sure just wonderful, probably the best so far I have heard of, congrats.
 
Hi Gretzky

Can you please give us some insight into what the tests are like(as in level of difficulty). Did you do any prep-work for it, not that someone can learn the English language in a couple of weeks.
Since you have taken the TOEFL how do the two compare.
Would appreciate any input.
Thanks
 
juan_scooby

Following the maxim "better safe than sorry", I took the test of my own volition. I am from Thailand but my native language is Punjabi.

Rays of Hope

Thank you for your prompt advice. My concern stems from the fear that somehow the results sent directly from IELTS to CIC may not be attached to my file. While this may be a bit of paranoia, bureaucracies don't inspire much confidence. Furthermore, I posted the same question on Google and got a response (from somebody who indicates that he is an attorney) saying that I MUST send the results myself. Here's the link...http://groups.google.com/groups?dq=&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&threadm=S5u7b.99136%24kW.98359%40edtnps84&prev=/groups%3Fdq%3D%26num%3D25%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26ie%3DUTF-8%26group%3Dmisc.immigration.canada%26start%3D25

texancanadian

1. Having read your posts, the test should be a walk in the park for you.
2. I prepared for the test by going through the specimen materials purchased from IELTS. This was more to familiarize myself with the format than anything else.
3. The only section that one should be careful about is the listening part. More than anything else, this section tests presence of mind and attentiveness. It has little to do with how well you understand English. A cappuccino before the test worked well for me in this regard!
4. For the writing module, I wrote perhaps 100 to 150 words more than the required minimum. I am not sure if this helped, but as my score indicates (9), it certainly didn't hurt.
5. I took TOEFL more than six years ago so the comparison relies on fading memory. IELTS tests your speaking skills which TOEFL didn't. This should work in your favor. The time alloted for the reading and writing sections of IELTS is way more than you would ever need. The length of the listening and speaking modules are beyond your control as the former is determined by the length of the tape that is played for you and the latter is set by the interviewer. All in all, I think IELTS is easier than TOEFL.
 
All

I have been informed by International House, Portland, OR (the IELTS test organizer for San Francisco, CA) that IELTS contacted CIC and got a confirmation that CIC now requires the IELTS results to be mailed directly to them by IELTS and not by the candidate. This confirms what Rays of Hope (thank you) had wrote earlier.
 
Gretzy, a question on the speakers accent in the listening section

I am curious about this since its not mentioned anywhere. Since the IELTS is predominantly run by a consortium of British and Australian institutions I wonder what accent does the speaker use in the listening part. Is it a neutral accent, or a Brit or Aussie one ? Or is the speakers voice pretty close to your "average" US accent.
I am used to the British accent but not all that in tune with the Aussie one.
Thanks.
 
texancanadian

There were several segments in the listening part. The accents varied depending on the scenario being played out. For instance, in my test, there was a segment which had an Australian talking about higher education. In the specimen material that I purchased from IELTS, there was a conversation between a Kenyan and a Brit. In this case, even with clear enunciation one could discern the non-British accent. Even though myriad ethnic/national groups that show up/could show up in the test, I think IELTS has done a decent job in ensuring that their accents are fairly "neutral". While I wouldn't worry too much about it if I were you, I would suggest familiarizing yourself with the listening format prior to the test.
 
Question on IELTS results - Gretzky/Others

Hi Gretzky/ others in the know,
Hope you are still around.
I did give the IELTS and received my results. Now I also have a question on how to send over the results to Buffalo. Did you finally get the IELTS organizers to send a report directly ? Did you send one yourself too - just to be sure ? Is there a way you were able to confirm they received it ?
On a nother note Buffalo's website today says that they are now processing Nov appls. You are now just 3 months away. Please do keep us posted when you hear something.
Thanks
 
texancanadian

1. IELTS folks (based out of Portland, when I took the test) refused to give me an extra original copy for me to send the results to CIC. They insisted that, based on their inquiries, Buffalo CIC wanted IELTS to send the results direclty to them to avoid forgery. So in my instance, IELTS mailed my results to CIC.

2. At the same time, I faxed a copy of the results with a cover letter explaining the above-mentioned scenario to CIC.

3. I have not verified with CIC as to whether they received my results or not (my fax did go through though). If you find out a way to verify receipt of results by CIC, please post it here.

4. I saw the jump to November application processing too. Good news for all of us. They'll probably slack off during Christmas and New Year. Keeping my fingers crossed and hope to have the interview waived. Will post any developments for all to see.
 
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